Keyword Research→Lesson 1

Finding What Your Audience Searches

Core
7 min
beginner

You'll learn:

  • •Brainstorm seed keywords for your niche
  • •Use free keyword research tools

Why Keywords Matter (But Less Than You Think)

Keywords are the bridge between what people search and what you offer. But in 2026, you don't need to obsess over exact keyword placement. Focus on understanding user intent and creating comprehensive content that addresses their needs.

Understanding Search Intent

Every search has an intent behind it. Google tries to match results to that intent:

  • Informational: "how to tie a tie" → wants a guide or tutorial
  • Navigational: "facebook login" → wants a specific page
  • Transactional: "buy running shoes" → ready to purchase
  • Commercial Investigation: "best laptop 2026" → researching before buying
⚠️

Before targeting a keyword, ask: What is the user actually looking for? If your page doesn't match their intent, you won't rank, no matter how good your SEO is.

Brainstorming Seed Keywords

Start with broad "seed" keywords related to your business:

  • Your products/services (e.g., "coffee maker")
  • Your industry (e.g., "home brewing")
  • Problems you solve (e.g., "how to make espresso at home")
  • Your locations (e.g., "coffee shop austin")

Free Keyword Research Tools

  • Google Autocomplete: Type your seed keyword and see what suggests
  • People Also Ask: Related questions appear in search results
  • Google Trends: Compare keyword popularity over time
  • AnswerThePublic: Visual map of questions people ask
  • Keyword Surfer: Free Chrome extension showing search volume
Key Takeaway:
Don't just chase high-volume keywords. A keyword with 100 monthly searches that's highly specific to your offering is more valuable than a generic term with 10,000 searches but low relevance.